Nigerians Still Counting Losses After Presidential And National Assembly Elections

Tension enveloped some parts of the country after killings linked to the postponed presidential and National Assembly elections of last weekend.

The elections were held across the country on Saturday and no fewer than sixteen person were reportedly killed after attacks in eight states.

Penultimate Friday, the Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ohimini local government area of Benue State, Mr. Boniface Okloho, was shot dead at Ehatokpe by unknown assailants.

Same day, suspected hoodlums attacked and killed Mr. Lawrence Akpomiemie, Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, at Ekpan in Uvwie local government area of Delta State.

In Akwa Ibom State, violence erupted on the eve of the rescheduled polls, leading to the killing of one person and the burning of eleven vehicles belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Obot Akara local government area of the state.

In Rivers State, residents were horrified by the turn of events after the police confirmed the killing of an officer in the wave of attacks at different parts of the state just before the sudden postponement of the general elections by INEC.

Apart from the policeman, six persons were reportedly shot dead at Erema area of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of the state while two others were killed in separate attacks at Ozuaha in Ikwerre LGA.

The Ozuaha victims were identified as APC members.

In Cross River State, Mr Ayuk Ogar, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bendeghe Ekiem Ward of Etung local government area and four others were confirmed dead, following a clash with APC supporters in the area.

Only last Thursday, Kano State Police Command confirmed the death of two persons during a bloody clash between supporters of PDP and APC at Kofa in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State. The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the number of deaths in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano and also said that many people sustained various degrees of injuries during the fracas.

He said no fewer than twenty vehicles were burnt while eighteen others were also vandalised during the incident.

The police spokesman said the command had also arrested twenty people, including a member of the House of Representatives, in connection with the incident and warned people of the state to desist from acts capable of causing disaffection among residents.